Arguably the most popular genus of houseplants, Philodendrons come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. They are also moderately quick growers and tend to be easy to care for, making them wonderful houseplants for first time growers. Still nervous about testing your green thumb with them? Don’t be!
Because they are relatively low maintenance, as long as you are providing your Philodendron with what they need, they’ll reward you with lots of healthy growth. Knowing how much water, light, and fertilizer to give them, as well as monitoring things like temperature and humidity and giving them room to grow, will all contribute to how well your plant is performing.
Caring for a new houseplant can sometimes be a bit daunting, especially if you are new to a particular variety. However, by doing a little bit of research and following the tips outlined in this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know to keep your new Philodendron alive and thriving.
Tip #1: Know What Kind of Philodendron You Have
One of the first things you should learn about your plant is what type of Philodendron you have. Knowing the specifics of your particular plant will go a long way in helping you determine what type of care is best. There are two main categories of Philodendrons: vining (or trailing) and self-heading (or non-trailing). Although technically all in the same genus, these two types behave differently, especially when it comes to growth.
Vining Philodendrons tend to push new growth rather quickly along fast-growing, vining stems. The varieties in this category tend to look like they are spilling over the edges of their pots or climbing up some sort of trellis or support.
Self-heading (or non-trailing) varieties look a lot more tree-like, often with a single stalk rising from the soil and several larger leaves growing from long petioles (leaf stalks). This type of Philodendron is a slower grower compared with vining varieties, and any new growth comes from the tip of the plant.
Knowing which variety you have can help you out because each type needs slightly different care. For example, vining varieties actually thrive when you occasionally prune them back, but self-heading types rarely, if ever, need to be trimmed.
You should also pay attention to whether or not your Philodendron has any special attributes, like bright colors, variegation, or if it is a rare variety. These varieties typically require a bit of extra attention.
Tip #2: Proper Watering is Essential
As far as plant advice goes, this is the tip you’ll want to write down. Proper watering is one of the most important aspects of your Philodendron’s overall health. If you don’t pay attention to when and how you water, there is a really good chance your plant will develop health issues that not only slow growth but put your plant in danger of dying.
Overwatering your plant tends to stunt growth by oversaturating the soil and waterlogging the root system. Nutrient uptake and gas exchange become very difficult for the plant, which leads to resource deficiencies or worse.
Underwatering affects the plant in different ways, typically disrupting nutrient and water transport throughout the plant. A dry plant tends to wilt and shut down as normal functions become strained, causing it to stop growing as it tries to survive.
So, how much water do Philodendrons need? These are tropical plants that are used to getting lots of rain but prefer really well-drained soil. You can mimic these conditions by only watering your plant when the top two inches of soil have dried out in the pot.
This ensures that you allow enough time between waterings so the plant won’t ever be too wet. Don’t worry; there is still moisture lower in the soil for the plant to utilize. This method is much more reliable than sticking to a set schedule since your plant’s needs will change throughout the year.
Tip #3: Make Sure Your Philodendron Has Enough Light
In regards to importance, this tip is right up there with proper watering. The other essential care factor you need to prioritize is providing your plant with enough of the right kind of sunlight. Sunlight is a very important resource for plants, as it drives photosynthesis and provides the plant with the resources it needs to grow. The more light your plant has access to, the more resources it’ll have to put towards growth and staying healthy.
Most Philodendrons prefer to be placed in a spot where they get several hours of bright, indirect sunlight each day. Indirect light is the sunlight that streams into the rooms of your home and bounces off reflective surfaces. It is also referred to as “ambient” light.
By contrast, “direct sunlight” is any light that is strong enough to cast a sharp shadow. This type of light contains a lot of heat that can end up damaging the leaf tissues of your Philodendron, so it is best to keep your plants out of any direct sunlight streaming in through your windows.
Find a spot in your home where your plant is exposed to many hours of medium to bright, indirect sunlight. Typically, anywhere near a south or east-facing window, out of the path of any direct sunlight, is a great spot for a Philodendron.
The more indirect light you can provide, the more it will ensure that your plant will have what it needs to create the resources necessary for new growth. This is especially true if you have a brightly colored or variegated variety. Without enough indirect sunlight, the colors and patterns of these types of Philodendrons tend to fade to a plain green.
Tip #4: Plan to Feed Your Philodendron Occasionally
New plant collectors might sometimes feel a bit intimidated by the idea of applying fertilizer to their houseplants. There are so many different brands, formulations, and delivery systems to consider, and knowing how and when to feed your plant can sometimes be a shot in the dark.
Luckily, despite being able to put on several inches of growth during a season, many Philodendrons are only moderate feeders and only really need supplemental feed a handful of times a year. Over time, the nutrients present in the soil get taken up by your plant and used to produce healthy root systems and new growth. Occasional applications of fertilizer ensure that the soil your plant is living in remains fertile and nutrient-rich, so your plant can continue to thrive.
A great feeding method for houseplants is to apply a well-balanced liquid fertilizer during a regular watering session. If it’s a new product, it’s best to start by diluting it to half the recommended strength to avoid your plant suffering from nutrient burn. Many Philodendron varieties only need occasional feedings, about once every six to eight weeks. If you have a more mature plant that uses more resources, you may find that feeding once a month is appropriate.
Monitor your plants for any signs of distress after feeding. If you see any discolored leaves or stunted growth, try diluting the feed to a quarter strength or spread feedings out every 10-12 weeks.
Basically, the goal is to add enough nutrients to the soil, so they are never a limiting factor in your plant’s growth. However, you don’t want to add so much that it causes harm to the plant. Don’t worry too much; Philodendrons are resilient and tough, so occasional feedings don’t often bother them.
Tip #5: Don’t be Afraid to Prune Your Philodendron
First off, let us preface this section by saying that if you have a self-heading Philodendron variety, you likely do not need to trim it back. Over time, these varieties can grow rather large, but their physical structure is not conducive to easy pruning and should only be done if they are getting too large to manage. You probably won’t ever have to worry about pruning your self-heading Philodendron.
However, vining varieties are another story completely. These trailing varieties tend to put out new growth along vining stems rather quickly during a growing season. As these vines grow longer, the internodes (sections between the leaves) tend to get longer and longer, leaving you with a plant that can start to look a little leggy and scraggly.
To combat this, you can do a quick prune. By cutting back the longer vines on your trailing Philodendron, you are actually encouraging leaf nodes below the cut to push new, healthy, compact growth, keeping your plant looking bushier and fuller. Also, you can actually prune your plant back almost anytime you want. Philodendrons recover quickly from a light trim, so anytime you see a vine getting a little out of hand, feel free to snip it back several inches.
Tip #6: Philodendrons Like it Hot and Humid
Philodendrons are tropical species from very warm, humid places around the world. Although most varieties have a pretty impressive tolerance for different growing conditions, in order to thrive, they really do like things hot.
A good rule of thumb is to keep your plants in an environment with temperatures ranging between 65° and 85° F. This tends to be the range most of us keep our thermostats at, which is one reason that Philodendrons do so well indoors. These plants can take temperatures as low as 50°, but typically anything colder than 65° will start to slow growth down.
Our homes tend to be very dry, and sometimes plants can struggle with low humidity levels. Most Philodendron varieties do well around 40% humidity and above, so if you are in a climate that tends to be drier than that, consider adding a humidifier to the room.
Remember to do a little research on your particular Philodendron. A few varieties prefer even more humid conditions (up to 60%), so you may need to keep an eye on those plants, especially during the winter months, when inside humidity levels tend to drop further.
Tip #7: Give Your Philodendron Room to Grow
The thing about moderately fast-growing houseplants is that they also tend to outgrow the pots they are planted in. Although many Philodendron varieties will tolerate being a bit rootbound for a while, if you want to see your plant thrive, you must give it room to grow.
This means that you should occasionally check the root system of your plants to see if it’s time to pot them up to bigger sizes. By giving the plant a bit more room in the container, the root system will continue to expand in a healthy growth pattern that will maximize nutrient and water absorption for the plant.
About once a year, gently pull your Philodendron from its existing pot and take a look at the root system. If it looks like it is winding around itself, it’s time to transplant it to a larger pot size. Pick a pot that allows for about one to two inches of extra space on all sides of the root ball.
Grab high-quality potting soil with additional perlite or cactus soil mixed into it for added drainage and use it to gently secure your Philodendron’s root system into the new pot. You can water it deeply and allow excess liquid to drain from the drainage hole.
When choosing a new container for your Philodendron, make sure it has a drainage hole. This simple addition will save your plant time and time again by allowing excess water to drain away from the roots if you ever get a little heavy-handed while watering. Your Philodendron will establish itself in the new container, and with the extra wiggle room, it should quickly resume growing.
Final Thoughts
Philodendrons are wonderful houseplants that are great for first time growers due to both their low-maintenance care and their rewarding growth. If you were a little hesitant to try one out, hopefully the tips outlined above have you realizing just how straightforward and easy Philodendron care can be. If you’re new to Philodendrons, just remember that most varieties are hardy and tough, so feel free to experiment with their care to figure out what works best for them in your home. And, don’t forget to have fun!
